Empire State Building

State: New York. Type: Art Deco skyscraper and observation-deck landmark in Midtown Manhattan. Address: 350 Fifth Avenue (public entrance at 20 W 34th Street), between 33rd and 34th Streets. 102 stories; roof height 1,250 feet, 1,454 feet including antenna. Opened May 1, 1931. Was the world's tallest building from 1931 until 1970. Observatories sit on the 86th and 102nd floors and draw roughly four million visitors a year.

The Empire State Building is one of New York City's defining landmarks, rising from Midtown Manhattan on the site of the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Commissioned by Empire State Inc. and designed by architect William F. Lamb of the firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, the tower was built at remarkable speed, going up in just over thirteen months and opening on May 1, 1931. At 102 stories, it became the first building in the world to exceed 100 stories and held the title of world's tallest building for nearly four decades, until the World Trade Center's completion in 1970. Today it functions primarily as office space, but its 86th- and 102nd-floor observation decks are among the most visited attractions in the city, offering panoramic views across Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. The building is significant enough to have its own ZIP code, and it remains a fixture of the New York skyline, popular culture and countless films.

The Empire State Building sits at 350 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan's Midtown South neighborhood, between 33rd and 34th Streets; the public visitor entrance is at 20 W 34th Street. It is a short walk from Herald Square and the Fifth Avenue shopping corridor.

New York City has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers (average highs in the low-to-mid 80s Fahrenheit in July-August) and cold winters (highs often in the 30s-40s Fahrenheit, with occasional snow). Wind and reduced visibility at height are more noticeable on the open-air 86th floor deck, so weather can affect the observatory experience even when it's mild at street level.

Clear days offer the best views, and visiting near sunset or after dark for city-light views is popular; early morning or late evening slots also tend to have shorter lines. The building is open 365 days a year, so it can be visited in any season, though summer and holiday periods draw the largest crowds.

The site previously held the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (1893-1929) before Empire State Inc. acquired the property in 1929 and commissioned architect William F. Lamb to design a skyscraper. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened on May 1, 1931, roughly thirteen and a half months later. It was the first building in the world to surpass 100 stories and held the title of world's tallest building from 1931 until the World Trade Center was completed in 1970. It has since become one of the most photographed and filmed buildings in the world.

The main draw is riding to the 86th-floor observation deck, an open-air deck offering 360-degree views, with a Top Deck ticket adding access to the 102nd floor for higher, more expansive views. Many visitors combine the observatory visit with the building's on-site exhibits on its design and construction history. Because the building sits near Herald Square and Fifth Avenue, a visit is often paired with nearby shopping and dining.

The 86th-floor and 102nd-floor observatories are the building's headline attractions. The lobby itself features Art Deco design details worth a look before heading up. Nearby, Herald Square and the Fifth Avenue shopping district make for an easy add-on to an observatory visit.

The nearest subway stations are 34th Street-Herald Square (one block west, served by multiple lines) and 33rd Street on the Park Avenue line (a couple of blocks east), with a PATH station at 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue also nearby. Taxis and rideshares can reach the entrance directly on 34th Street. From area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark), visitors typically take a taxi, rideshare, or airport transit connection into Manhattan and then the subway or a short cab ride to the building.

According to the operator's official site, the building is generally open from 9 a.m. to midnight, with doors closing around 11 p.m.; hours can vary seasonally and by date, and all visits require a timed reservation. Confirm the exact schedule for your visit date on esbnyc.com before going.

Per the official site, 86th-floor observatory tickets start from about $44, a Top Deck ticket covering both the 86th and 102nd floors starts from about $79, and a flexible-date 86th-floor ticket starts from about $64; a booking fee of about $5 is added per transaction. Prices vary by date/time and package, so check esbnyc.com for current rates before booking.

Most visitors budget roughly one and a half to two hours total, including security screening, elevator queues, and time on the observation decks; a Top Deck visit covering both floors takes somewhat longer than an 86th-floor-only visit.

Midtown Manhattan around Herald Square and the Fifth Avenue corridor has a dense concentration of hotels across all price ranges, from major international chains to boutique properties, generally within a few blocks' walk of the building. Because this is one of the busiest tourist areas in the city, lodging options are extensive but can command premium rates, especially in peak season.

The blocks around Herald Square and Koreatown (centered on 32nd Street just south of the building) offer a dense mix of casual and sit-down dining, including a well-known concentration of Korean restaurants. Fifth Avenue and the wider Midtown area add everything from quick-service chains to upscale dining within easy walking distance.

Herald Square and Macy's flagship store are a short walk away, as is the Koreatown dining strip on 32nd Street. Bryant Park and the New York Public Library's main branch sit a few blocks north, and Madison Square Park lies a short walk south.

34th Street-Herald Square subway station is about one block from the building's entrance, and 33rd Street (Park Ave) station is two blocks away; a PATH station at 33rd/Sixth Avenue also serves the area. No dedicated airport rail line reaches the building directly, so travelers connect via subway, taxi, or rideshare from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark.

All visitors pass through security screening similar to airport-style checks, so allow extra time and avoid bringing prohibited items. The 86th-floor deck is open-air and enclosed with a barrier, but hold onto phones and cameras near the edge, especially in wind. For any emergency, dial 911.

A valid photo ID and your timed-entry ticket (printed or on a phone) are needed for entry. A light jacket is worth having on the open-air 86th floor deck, since it can be windy and noticeably cooler than street level. A phone or camera for photos is standard, though tripods are typically restricted.

Book timed-entry tickets online in advance, since the building explicitly recommends this to avoid long waits and potential sellouts, particularly around sunset and on weekends. Arriving right at your reservation time, rather than early, helps minimize queuing. Sunset and evening visits are popular for skyline views, so book those slots ahead if that's your preference.

Dial 911 for any emergency. General visitor questions should be directed through the official site's visit/accessibility and safety pages, as a public information phone number was not listed on the operator's homepage at the time of research.

Empire State Building - https://www.esbnyc.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.